1. EAGLE-EYED BLUES

Can Chelsea keep their eye on the ball as they go for another win this weekend?

THEY may be officially top at Christmas already, but Antonio Conte's troops can't afford to let their guard down now.

Having looked in imperious form of late, it was something of a surprise to see the Blues struggle somewhat away at a beleaguered Sunderland.

They'll take on Alan Pardew's equally disappointing Crystal Palace in Saturday's first game at 12.30pm.

With Eden Hazard and Diego Costa rediscovering their 2014-15 form, you wouldn't put it past Chelsea romping to a simple victory at Selhurst Park - and with Arsenal playing Manchester City this weekend, it's a truly title-defining moment as one, or both, clubs will be dropping points.

Then again, will the Blues remain eagle-eyed or will complacency take its hold?

Either way, here's a fun fact for you: Chelsea have won the Premier League every time they've been top on December 25...

2. GUNNING 'EM DOWN

THERE may only be one point between them, but the moods surrounding Arsenal and Manchester City could not be more different.

On the one hand, Arsene Wenger's Gunners are in rampant form, scoring for fun and looking in title-contending form... That was, until their shock 2-1 defeat to Everton.

Regardless, there is more than enough reason to be hopeful in north London.

Meanwhile, things are looking comparatively bleak at the Etihad as Pep Guardiola's men look the picture of down-trodden.

After a red-hot start, City have cooled off, almost to the point of stalling completely, enduring a torrid December, epitomised by the 4-2 thumping by Leicester and losing Ilkay Gundogan to a season-long ACL injury.

The clash being in Manchester makes it somewhat more even, and Premier League title rivals Liverpool and Chelsea will be licking their lips at the prospect of a draw, meaning both sides fall two points further off the pace.

3. OUT-FOXED

Leicester have endured an up and down season after last year's success

LEICESTER CITY were the undoubted story of last season when they stormed to the most unlikely of Premier League titles.

And to a certain degree, they're the story of this term too, as their atrocious start to the season saw them being whispered in the relegation discussion, while simultaneously romping to the top of their Champions League group.

After a dreadful run of form, Claudio Ranieri's men stuck four past Man City in an absolute humiliation at the King Power Stadium.

But they followed that up with a 1-0 loss away to Bournemouth.

This season it is truly impossible to predict which Leicester will turn up, making their trip to Stoke a potentially fascinating encounter.

There'll be all eyes on referee Craig Pawson too. After his horror show in the Crystal Palace vs Man United, it's fair to assume every blow of the whistle on Saturday will be scrutinised.

4. SPURRED ON?

TRULY dreadful in front of goal against Man United, but in fine fettle against Hull, Tottenham's attack is certainly unpredictable this season.

After the Dele Alli-Harry Kane machine of last term, it's been somewhat more muted at White Hart Lane this season.

Against United, the door was firmly closed on the waves of white shirts attacking the Red Devils' defence and Mauricio Pochettino's men had no answer.

But a trio of goals against a hapless Hull will have lifted their spirits.

A tricky clash with Burnley on Sunday could prove to be another game with no answer for the wall of defenders, but if Spurs manage to find the net, it could end up being a procession with they way they play.

7. NINE LIVES?

DRESS it up however you'd like, but Sunderland have struggled this season.

Their mini-resurgence, winning three of four games between the beginning of November and December, was something of a damp squib, as epitomised by their 3-0 thrashing at the hands of fellow relegation rivals Swansea.

Add in the loss to Chelsea midweek and David Moyes' men are dead last in the Premier League with just 11 points from their 16 games.

A home clash with Watford could be something of a turning point - and it is certainly a game they will need to start winning if they are to yet again avoid the dreaded drop.

Perhaps a premature prediction, but a loss on Saturday could just be the last of the Black Cats' nine lives.

8. SOUTH COAST DERBY?

Bournemouth make the short trip to Southampton for the south coast derby

OVER the last decade, Portsmouth and Bournemouth have flown in completely different directions.

Pompey have swapped Europe for League Two, while the Cherries have leaped from the bottom tier of the Football League to become a deserved member of the Premier League.

So, will Southampton sub in Eddie Howe's men as their new south coast derby rivals, with just a little over 30 miles separating the towns?

With both teams earning a 2-0 win at home against each other last term, the battle for supremacy is still up for grabs, but you'd have to argue that Bournemouth will perhaps be taking the game a little more seriously.